It was learned that the event will kick-off at the Paseo de Cabuntog in Gen. Luna at exactly 4:00pm, Thursday, August 5, 2010.

Provincial Tourism Officer Ivonnie Dumadag said the event comprises various sports, cultural activities and tourism/trade fair highlighting the National Surfing Competition and the 16th International Surfing Cup come September at the renowned surfing haven, Cloud 9.

Culminating the event launching is a fellowship dinner still at the Paseo de Cabuntog with 1st District Cong. Lalo Matugas and 2nd District Cong. Jun Romarate who are also expected to grace the said event.

The island of Siargao, with its good waves and white-sand beaches, served as the venue of the series of surfing competitions in the past years of the province, which was held through the initiative of the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and the Department of Tourism. ( PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Insurgency problem leads mass evacuation in Lianga

By Nida Grace B. TranquilanSURIGO DEL SUR (August 04) - Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer May Navidad Salinas confirmed that 24 families (90 dependents or 111 individauls) of Purok 5 Upper Oregon of Brgy San Isidro, Lianga, this province was evacuated to Purok 1 also of the said barangay on July 31.

The two separate shooting incidents happened on July 28 and July 31, following the military operation caused the residents to leave their place and took shelter in their relatives at the barangay proper, some 5 kilometers away, this was revealed by PSWDO Salinas in an interview with PIA.

In a written report released by Lianga MSDO Melita Encenso, it was learned that on July 28 at around 6:30 in the morning, a certain Rey Ranque, 29 years old known as a “Bagani” soldier was shot to death by an unidentified armed man while fetching water few meters away from Purok 5 proper.

Another reported incident happened on July 31 at around 6 am where a certain Ritchie Enot, 24 years of age, married while doing “tuksi” or stripping abaca in his farm and wearing a headphone, alleged members of the military shot him at his back after he was not able to respond to the group when he was called.

On the other hand, Col Augusto Tolentino, Philippine Army’s 401st Brigade Commander, in a phone-patch interview with PIA confirmed the present conduct of the military operation in the area due to several harassment incidents in the past few days. The victim, Ritchie Enot, was allegedly a member of the NPA and according to the military, as of press time, the victim was kept away by his relatives.

Meanwhile, LGU Lianga already sent four sacks of rice while Governor Johnny Pimentel thru Provincial Dsaster and Coordinating Council (PDCC) and Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) had given 10 kilos of rice per affected family, it was learned.

Lianga Mayor Sarmen, in coordination with the provincial government of Surigao del Sur had already addressed the insurgency problem in the said area. It can be recalled that on August 2009, this same people also evacuated from the said area and joined with the evacuees who were transported to Tandag Pastoral Center for same reason. (PIA Surigao del Sur)..Cebuano News: RDCC nagpahigayon sa quiz-bowl kabahin sa climate change adaptation ug disaster risk reduction

36 Infantry “Valor” Battalion showed that they are a “child-friendly” military unit when they celebrated its 36th founding anniversary on 01 August 2010. The battalion spearheaded by LTC JOSE EMMANUEL MARIANO INF (GSC) PA initiated a community project which aims to focus on the children and participate in the DEP-ED’s program of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read). It is but important to take note that these children, aged 5-10 years, are in a stage where their inquisitiveness are just starting to flourish and their environment takes a vital role in this level of maturity. The unit considered it necessary to start this community service so that while these children are growing up they will have a better appreciation for the military and start to understand that they are not here to promote war but to preserve peace.

This activity will start in elementary schools near the battalion headquarters and on 02 August 2010, Gamut elementary school in brgy Gamut, Tago, Surigao del Sur was the first. Principal Levi Lagura was very supportive and appreciative in having his school as the first beneficiary. Likewise, the students, those from preschool (1 classroom), grades I (3 classrooms), II (2 classrooms) and III (2 classrooms), are very excited in having a teacher soldier in their classrooms. Their class advisers are also present to give guidance to the military when they deem it necessary since these youngsters are not quite that easy to handle without proper background and understanding.

Other schools are also scheduled for the same community service. On 03 August 2010 elementary schools of brgy Dayo-an and brgy Tabon-Tabon are the recepients and on 04 August 2010 Falcon Memorial elementary school the central elementary school in the municipality of Tago is on deck all from Tago, Surigao del Sur. They would have the same concept like that of Gamut elementary school for preschool, grades I, II and III where the soldiers will be incorporated in their first subject which DEP-ED called DEAR (Drop Everything And Read). The soldiers will read along the children and have some question-and-answer portion. This is a new experience for both the soldiers and the students. This is a new horizon in the attainment and preservation of peace. (36IB GABATIN/PIA-Caraga)

PMA sets 2010 entrance exam requirements

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Office of the Cadet Admission will be conducting a PMA Entrance Examination at 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army Gymnasium, Camp Evangelista, PATAG, Cagayan de Oro City on 29 August 2010.

The Cadet Admission Office requires all applicants some specific qualifications such as: he or she must be a natural born Filipino Citizen, physically fit, single and never been married; must at least 17 years old but not a day older than 22 years on 01 April of the year following the date of examination taken; a High School graduate with a grade point average of 85% or higher; and, as minimum of 5 feet 4 inches tall if male and 5 feet 2 inches tall if female.

The PMA Cadetship Application form will be distributed nationwide and it can be downloaded to the PMA official website, http://www.pma.ph.

All interested and qualified applicants must complete the information in the application form and subsequently attach two (2) copies of 2x2 ID picture, pencil, authenticated or NSO copy of birth certificate, and true copy of High School Form 137.

The form shall be mailed to the Office of Cadet Admission, Philippine Military Academy, Fort del Pilar, Baguio City 2602, not later than two weeks before the scheduled examination date.

The PMA entrance examination covers Algebra and geometry, Grammar and Composition, Reading and Comprehension, Verbal and Numerical Reasoning and pattern Analysis. Examination permits are sent through mail to the address reflected by the applicants in their application forms and also can be verified at the venue during the examination. (4ID Diamond Division, PA/PIA-Caraga)